Move Over Butter Yellow—This Is the Unexpected Color Fashion Girls Are Wearing This Summer
Remember when it felt like the entire world collectively agreed that butter yellow was the only color worth wearing? For the past year, our feeds have been filled with soft pastels, creamy neutrals, and barely-there shades that whispered rather than shouted. We’ll always have a soft spot for a chic neutral moment. But, the color trends of summer 2026 are bringing a little more personality to the conversation—enter, royal purple.
It’s time to get reacquainted with the favorite color of your youth. From dreamy lilac dresses and lavender handbags to rich plum separates and violet sneakers, the hue has quickly become the color fashion girls can’t stop wearing. Scroll through Instagram, peek at any runway, or spend five minutes on Pinterest and you’ll spot it everywhere. It’s playful without feeling juvenile and bold without being overwhelming. Somehow, it manages to feel both whimsical and sophisticated at the same time.
Part of the appeal is that purple feels refreshingly unexpected. After seasons dominated by subdued palettes, the fashion world seems ready for color again—and purple strikes the perfect balance. It adds energy to an outfit without requiring the full commitment of a neon trend, making it surprisingly wearable whether you’re a minimalist dresser or someone who treats getting dressed like a creative exercise.
Read on for why purple is the color trend of the summer and how to style it. Plus, the pieces I’m personally adding to my cart.
How Fashion People Are Wearing the Purple Color Trend
Color Drenching
One of the chicest ways people are embracing purple right now is through color drenching—the styling technique of wearing a single color from head to toe. It sounds intimidating in theory, but purple actually lends itself surprisingly well to the trend. A lavender linen set paired with a matching bag and sandals feels fresh and summery, while deeper shades like orchid or plum create a richer, more fashion-forward statement. The key is mixing different textures and tones within the same color family so the look feels intentional rather than costume-y. The result is bold and guaranteed to stand out in a sea of beige.
A Pop of Color
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a head-to-toe purple moment, treating the hue as a pop of color is an easy entry point. The chicest it-girls are pairing lavender bags with all-white outfits, styling violet ballet flats with classic denim, or even adding a plum cardigan to an otherwise neutral look. Because purple feels unexpected, even the smallest touch can completely transform an outfit. It’s the kind of color that does all the heavy lifting for you—suddenly your white tank and linen pants combo looks a lot more intentional (and a lot less like you got dressed half asleep).
With Bold Contrast
For the fashionistas who subscribe to the “more is more” school of dressing, purple also happens to be the perfect gateway into color mixing. We’re seeing it paired with everything from butter yellow and cherry red to cobalt blue, emerald green, and bright orange for looks that feel playful, artistic, and unapologetically bold. The trick is to lean into the contrast rather than shy away from it. A lavender top with a tomato-red skirt or a plum bag against a bright green dress creates the kind of outfit that turns heads and inevitably ends up on someone’s Pinterest board.
Trending Colors to Pair With Purple
Lemon Yellow
Purple and lemon yellow might sound like an unlikely pairing, but together they create the kind of rich contrast that fashionistas love. The brightness of the yellow brings out the depth in purple, making both colors feel even more vibrant without overwhelming the eye. If you’re new to color mixing, start small with a yellow accessory against a purple dress or cardigan before graduating to larger color-blocked pieces.
Cool Grey
If purple feels a little intimidating on its own, cool grey is the perfect styling partner. The softness of grey helps balance purple’s vibrancy, creating a combination that feels modern yet surprisingly expensive-looking. Try a lavender knit with tailored grey trousers or add a violet handbag to a monochromatic grey outfit for a subtle pop that still feels sophisticated.
Earthy Green
There’s something effortlessly cool about pairing purple with earthy greens like olive, sage, or moss. Since both shades are rooted in nature, they complement each other in a way that feels bold but not overly loud. A lilac top paired with olive pants or a plum dress styled with sage accessories strikes that sweet spot between playful and grounded, making it an easy combination to wear in everyday life.
Our Favorite Purple Fashion Pieces to Shop Now
Alyssa Rotunno, Contributing Writer
Alyssa Rotunno is a NYC-based writer with a focus on beauty, fashion, shopping, travel, and culture. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, InStyle, Travel+Leisure, Parade, and other national outlets, where she brings a sharp, timely lens to the products, places, and trends worth knowing. She’s endlessly curious about what people are talking about—and loves connecting the dots between trends, products, and real life.
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